Ryan Lasko Stats & Scouting Report

AB	320
AVG	.225
OBP	.359
SLG	.322
HR	4

Full name Ryan John Lasko
Born 06/24/2002 in Jackson, NJ
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Rutgers
Drafted in the 2nd round (41st overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2023 (signed for $1,700,000).

View Draft Report

School: Rutgers Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.1
BA Grade:45/High
Tools:Hit: 45. Power: 40. Run: 55. Field: 60. Arm: 70.

Lasko has posted big numbers at Rutgers, hitting .349/.431/.643 in 58 games as a sophomore in 2022 before batting .330/.428/.582 in 56 games this year. That same performance didn’t carry over with wood against better competition last year, either playing in USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team training camp or in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .239/.326/.274 with no home runs in 131 plate appearances. While that leaves scouts with questions about his offensive game, Lasko draws consistent high praise for his defense in center field. A slightly above-average runner, Lasko doesn’t have typical burner speed for a center fielder, but he has good instincts, runs clean routes to all angles and has a plus-plus arm. He made several highlight grabs this season and plays a fearless center field with catches crashing into the wall and diving in all directions. At the plate, Lasko’s biggest believers point to his track record at Rutgers and ability to put together quality at-bats there. Others think he might have to make a swing adjustment, with trouble handling fastballs at the top of the zone and below-average raw power that was exposed more when he hit with wood. That leaves Lasko with some fourth outfielder projections, though a team that’s more bullish on his chances to hit could take him in the top three rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: The Jackson, New Jersey native stayed home to attend Rutgers and enjoyed a very productive career, leading the Big Ten in hits as a sophomore. He wasn’t as prolific the ensuing summer with a wood bat, posting a .600 OPS in 34 Cape Cod League games, but he bounced back to hit .330 as a junior. The A’s signed him to a $1.7 million bonus after drafting him no. 41 overall in 2023. Lasko hit .154 over 10 games in the Arizona Complex League and was slowed by injury.

Scouting Report: Lasko plays with an unapologetic intensity, especially defensively. He takes good routes to the ball in center field and is a plus defender despite just above-average speed. He’s capable of making dazzling plays and willing to sacrifice his body--even if it means hurtling into the outfield wall. He also has a plus-plus throwing arm. There’s less conviction among evaluators regarding his hitting ability. Lasko showed a decent eye in college and has physical strength, but the raw power potential didn’t always translate to games. There’s some rigidity and stiffness to his swing at times, and amateur evaluators were concerned he may need to alter his swing to better combat velocity, especially at the top of the strike zone.

The Future: Lasko doesn’t turn 22 until June. He has the physical tools to stick in center and the ceiling of a second-division regular if he improves at the plate.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70

Draft Prospects

School: Rutgers Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.1
BA Grade:45/High
Tools:Hit: 45. Power: 40. Run: 55. Field: 60. Arm: 70.

Lasko has posted big numbers at Rutgers, hitting .349/.431/.643 in 58 games as a sophomore in 2022 before batting .330/.428/.582 in 56 games this year. That same performance didn’t carry over with wood against better competition last year, either playing in USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team training camp or in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .239/.326/.274 with no home runs in 131 plate appearances. While that leaves scouts with questions about his offensive game, Lasko draws consistent high praise for his defense in center field. A slightly above-average runner, Lasko doesn’t have typical burner speed for a center fielder, but he has good instincts, runs clean routes to all angles and has a plus-plus arm. He made several highlight grabs this season and plays a fearless center field with catches crashing into the wall and diving in all directions. At the plate, Lasko’s biggest believers point to his track record at Rutgers and ability to put together quality at-bats there. Others think he might have to make a swing adjustment, with trouble handling fastballs at the top of the zone and below-average raw power that was exposed more when he hit with wood. That leaves Lasko with some fourth outfielder projections, though a team that’s more bullish on his chances to hit could take him in the top three rounds.
Lasko had a strong junior season at Jackson Memorial (N.J.) High, hitting .404 with four home runs, six doubles and 21 RBI, but he was unable to play this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. The season being shut down hurts him more than other prospects, because he wasn’t seen much by scouts. Lasko has a solid 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame with room to grow, especially considering he hasn’t turned 18 yet. Lasko has hit at every level so far, but there is some concern with his swing because he doesn’t have a great bat path and tends to be a drifty slap hitter. He has the athleticism to clean it up, but he might never project for much power. He’s got plenty of speed and should be able to play center field, but he won’t have enough power to play in a corner spot. Lasko is committed to Rutgers.